Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing 1997

The second Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing (PSB-97) has once againbrought together key researchers from the international biocomputingcommunity. The importance of biocomputing is now widely recognized,
and aset of critical meetings has emerged providing access to peer-reviewedreports of exciting new techniques and results. The PSB has been designedto be maximally responsive to the need for critical mass in subdisciplineswithin biocomputing. For that reason, it is the only meeting whose tracksare defined dynamically ( in response to specific proposals) each year,
organized by leaders in the emergingsubdisciplines, and targeted
to provide a forum for publication anddiscussion of research in
biocomputing's "hot areas." In this way, PSBprovides an
early forum for serious examination of emerging methods andapproaches.

As usual, the cultures of biology and computer science clash in theorganization of a biocomputing meeting. The desire to have the latestideas, the biggest names, and the most diverse attendance (typical ofbiology conferences) causes some to question the utility of providingrigorous peer review of the manuscripts (typical of computer scienceconferences). The organizers believe that the value of the proceedings
toposterity rests on the quality of the review process. This year,
everymanuscript was examined by at least two anonymous reviewers
(as well as thetrack organizers and meeting chairs), and some manuscripts
were examined by as many as fivereviewers when significant differences
arose. We trust, therefore, thatthe proceedings will have significant
scientific and academic legitimacy.

The session chairs performed admirably in soliciting highquality
submissions, and moderating the review process. The organizers wish to thank
the invited plenary speaker, Dr. I.D. Kunz, aswell as the speakers
invited by track organizers for particular tracksessions. We would
also like to thank Sharon Surles, Kevin Lauderdale, the Stanford Section
on Medical Informatics, and the UCSF Computer Graphics Lab for excellentadministrative and technical assistance.

The meeting was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation,
the Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health. In addition,
corporatesponsors included Molecular Applications Group, Pharmacia
& Upjohn.The PSB has now firmly established a tradition of success
and excellence,and we look forward to future versions as biocomputing
comes to maturity.

ELECTRONIC PROCEEDINGS CONTENTS

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